Chelmsford’s new John Lewis store tops out

The final block of the new 11,000m² steel-framed John Lewis store at Chelmsford’s Bond Street development has been laid during a topping out ceremony.

John Lewis, the anchor store of the scheme, represents an £18M investment in the city, and is set to transform the city’s retail offer.

The 27,800m² Bond Street shopping complex will provide Essex with its first ever John Lewis, alongside a new retail and leisure destination featuring open air shopping, a cinema complex as well as landscaped public spaces.

Working on behalf of main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, Caunton Engineering is fabricating, supplying and erecting 1,800t of steel for the entire scheme.

The John Lewis store is the largest steel structure in the project and consists of four levels, including a basement. The topmost floor of the shop features a double row of 25m-long roof trusses, providing the level with a larger column-free retail trading area.

Tony Chambers, chairman of project developer Aquila, said: “We are delighted to have John Lewis at Chelmsford’s Bond Street scheme, bringing its wide product offering to this thriving city and it’s fantastic to see the store construction progressing.

“We are very proud that such an established brand is the anchor of the development. It’s a very positive endorsement of the city and a clear testament to the strength and quality of the new destination we are creating.”

The Bond Street development will open later this year.